Electronic level

• US 6,573,981 B2
• Filed: 02/22/2000
• Issued: 06/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon
• Inventors: Kumagai, Kaoru, Ohtomo, Fumio
• Primary Examiner(s): Buczinski, Stephen C.
• Application Number:
  US09/510,695
• Publication Number:
  US 20020149764A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,197 Days
• Field of Search: 356/4.08, 332/93, 332/91
• US Class Current: 356/4.08
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/00 Surveying instruments or accessories not provided for in groups G01C1/00 - G01C13/00

Abstract

An electronic level for converting a pattern on a leveling rod to be collimated by photoelectric conversion and for determining difference of elevation, wherein there is provided an irradiation device for irradiating auxiliary survey light to be projected to the leveling rod by pulsed irradiation.

Claims

1. An electronic level for converting to an electric signal a pattern surface on a leveling rod by photoelectric conversion and for determining elevation, wherein there is provided an irradiation device for irradiating auxiliary survey light by pulsed irradiation in order to eliminate shade on said pattern surface of said leveling rod, and said auxiliary survey light irradiates a field of view and said auxiliary survey light is irradiated in a fan-like shape corresponding to said field of view of said leveling rod.

2. An electronic level according to claim 1, wherein a semiconductor laser is provided as a light source for the irradiation device, and a light beam emitted from said semiconductor laser spreads both in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction and a beam-spreading angle in the vertical direction is larger than a beam-spreading angle in the horizontal direction.

3. An electronic level according to claim 1, wherein a photodetection element for receiving reflection light from said leveling rod is provided and a shutter which is synchronized with the pulsed irradiation is arranged on said photodetection element, wherein said shutter is driven in synchronization with said irradiation device and limits an incident light.

4. An electronic level according to claim 1, wherein a retroreflection sheet is attached on a surface of said leveling rod and is a colored reflection sheet.